U.S. patent number 4,056,298 [Application Number 05/730,449] was granted by the patent office on 1977-11-01 for electrical connector with coupling assembly breech retaining means.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Automation Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Earl A. Cooper, Michael J. Howett.
United States Patent |
4,056,298 |
Cooper , et al. |
November 1, 1977 |
Electrical connector with coupling assembly breech retaining
means
Abstract
An electrical connector having a coupling assembly breech
retaining means carried by one of the mating sections of the
connector to maintain a coupling ring housing, a coupling sleeve
nut within the housing, and a spring means biasing said coupling
nut in assembly in the coupling ring housing. The retaining means
comprises an annular ring having outer circumferentially spaced
locking lugs axially movable with respect to the coupling housing
and within one end portion for engagement with spaced recesses in
the end portion of the housing and biased in locking position by
the spring means.
Inventors: |
Cooper; Earl A. (Los Angeles,
CA), Howett; Michael J. (Fountain Valley, CA) |
Assignee: |
Automation Industries, Inc.
(Los Angeles, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
24935411 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/730,449 |
Filed: |
October 7, 1976 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/623 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/623 (20060101); H01R 13/62 (20060101); H01R
013/54 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/88R,89R,89C,9R,9C,188C ;285/85,86,316,321 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lake; Roy
Assistant Examiner: Desmond; E. F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Flattery; Thomas L.
Claims
We claim:
1. A retaining means for use on an electrical connector having
inner and outer coaxial cylindrical members, one of said members
being rotatable to transmit forces to the other member to cause
relative axial movement of said members, comprising in
combination:
one of said members having an end portion provided with angularly
spaced internal axially extending grooves on the internal surface
thereof;
recess means in said internal surface on said end portion between
said grooves and in communication therewith;
an annular retainer member having a circumference provided with
angularly spaced locking lugs corresponding to said grooves and
receivable within said end portion;
said recess means being provided with end walls;
said annular retainer member being axially movable relative to said
one member to pass said locking lugs through said grooves, and said
retainer member being rotatable to align said locking lugs with
said recesses,
and spring means for biasing said retainer member in a direction to
cause said locking lugs to be positioned in said recesses.
2. In a retaining means as stated in claim 1 including angularly
spaced means on said retainer member for moving said retainer
member axially in planes perpendicular to the axis of said members
for positioning said retainer member within said end portion.
3. In a retaining means as stated in claim 1 wherein said biasing
means includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed spring
means exerting an axially directed force on said retainer
member.
4. A retaining means for use on an electrical connector having
inner and outer coaxial cylindrical members, one of said members
being rotatable to transmit forces to the other member to cause
axial movement of said members, comprising in combination:
one of said members having an end portion provided with angularly
spaced internal through openings on the internal surface
thereof;
recess means on said end portion between said openings and in
communication therewith;
an annular retainer member having a circumference provided with
angularly spaced locking lugs corresponding to said through
openings;
said recesses being provided with end walls;
said annular retainer member being axially movable relative to said
one member to pass said locking lugs through said openings, and
said retainer member being rotatable to align said locking lugs
with said recesses,
and spring means for biasing said retainer member in a direction to
cause said locking lugs to be positioned in said recesses;
said one member comprising a coupling ring housing rotatable about
said other member,
a coupling nut in driving engagement with said coupling ring
housing and having threaded engagement with said other member;
an annular end face on said coupling nut; and
said spring means under compression between said annular end face
and said annular retainer member.
5. In a coupling assembly for an electrical connector having
axially movable connector sections the combination of:
a coupling ring housing encircling one of said connector
sections,
said coupling housing having an internal annular rib,
said coupling housing having an end portion having an internal
annular recess means,
said end portion having angularly spaced openings leading to said
recess means,
said recess means including angularly spaced recesses having end
walls adjacent said openings;
a coupling nut connected with said coupling housing and having one
end face seated against said internal rib on the coupling
housing,
said coupling nut having an opposite end face spaced from said
recess means on said coupling housing;
a retainer means having a plurality of spaced locking lugs on its
outer circumference;
and spring means between said end face on said coupling nut and the
inner annular face of said retainer member;
said retainer member being axially movable against said spring to
pass said locking lugs through said openings and rotatable through
a selected angle to position said locking lugs internally opposite
said spaced recesses whereby said spring means biases said retainer
member axially outwardly into locked engagement with the end
portion of said coupling ring housing to maintain said coupling
nut, spring means and coupling housing in assembly.
6. In a coupling assembly for an electrical connector
comprising:
a coupling ring housing;
a coupling nut within said housing and in driving engagement
therewith;
said coupling housing having internal stop means for one end of
said coupling nut and having recess means on its internal surface
spaced from the other end of said coupling nut;
a retainer means receivable within said end portion of said
coupling housing and having locking lugs movable axially and
rotatably for locking engagement with said recess means on said
coupling housing;
and a plurality of circumferentially spaced springs interposed
between said retainer means and the adjacent end of said coupling
nut for biasing and retaining said retainer means in locked
engagement with said coupling housing.
7. In a coupling assembly as stated in claim 6 wherein
said retainer means is annular,
and angularly spaced detent means on the external face of said
annular retainer means for positioning said retainer means axially
and rotatively.
Description
BACKGROUND
Prior proposed electrical connectors have included plug means and
receptacle means relatively axially movable for electrically
interconnecting a pluraity of pin and socket electrical contacts.
In some prior electrical connectors of this type, one of the
connector sections included a rotatable external housing adapted to
drive through a coupling nut, one section axially of the other
section. The coupling and coupling nut assembly has been retained
in assembly by various means such as a retainer member provided
with threaded engagement with the coupling housing, or a snap type
lock ring cooperably engaged with the coupling housing.
Prior constructions of retaining means for such electrical
connectors including several disadvantages, some of which were:
further locking devices were required for the threaded arrangement
of a retaining member with a coupling housing, assembly of the
retaining member with the coupling housing was relatively time
consuming and not completely positive and reliable, loosening of
the retaining member may occur because of vibration and shock
forces to which the connector may be subjected. In prior
constructions embodying snap type lock rings, such lock rings were
sometimes difficult to assemble with the connector and with the
spring and coupling nut to be held in assembly thereby, and such
snap type lock rings were often difficult to disassemble.
It is desirable that the assembly of the coupling means for such an
electrical connector be quickly accomplished, that once the
retaining member is in assembly that it will not inadvertently
become disassembled because of vibration or shock forces, and that
the retainer member be readily disassembled when necessary for
repair and maintenance of the electrical connector.
SUMMARY
This invention relates to a coupling assembly retaining means for
an electrical connector in which disadvantages of prior
constructions ae avoided, and more particularly relates to a
retaining member provided with breech lock engagement with a
coupling ring housing for maintaining assembly of the coupling
housing, a coupling nut in the housing, and spring means biasing
the nut in the housing.
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel
construction of a retaining member for an assembly of an electrical
connector part.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a retainer
member which may be quickly and postively assembled with the
associated electrical connector section.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a retaining
member wherein cooperable engagement thereof is provided with an
end portion of a coupling housing to maintain the coupling housing
and associated parts in assembly on the connector section.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel retaining
means for a coupling ring housing on an electrical connector shell
wherein the retaining member is readily moved longitudinally of the
axis of the coupling housing into position within a recess means in
the coupling housing, then rotated in the recess means and then
permitted to axially retract so that locking lugs on the retaining
member sill be seated in recesses on the coupling housing in such a
manner that dislodgment of the retaining member can be accomplished
only by use of a special tool.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a
novel retaining means wherein spring means in the coupling assembly
utilized for biasing the coupling nut are also used for biasing
into locked position the annular retaining member and for holding
the retaining member in locked position in the coupling
housing.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be
readily apparent from the following description of the drawings in
which an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. It will be
understood that the drawings and description hereinafter describe
inventions which are being described and claimed in other
applications executed by other inventors and assigned to a common
assignee.
IN THE DRAWINGS:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view, partly in section, of a plug means and
a receptacle means of an electrical connector embodying this
invention.
FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken in the planes indicated
by line II -- II of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the plane indicated
by line III -- III of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the plug means
and receptacle means of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1 in
a partially telescoped relation with the pin and socket electrical
contacts aligned but in axial spaced relation.
FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of FIG. 4 taken in the plane
indicated by line V -- V of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the electrical
connector shown in FIG. 1 with the plug means and the receptacle
means further advanced axially toward each other but with the pin
and socket electrical contacts still out of electrical engagement,
and with the coupling housing fully advanced axially.
FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated
line VII -- VII of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a detent spring means of this
invention.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the same plane as
FIG. 7 and illustrating position of the detent spring means at an
intermediate rotative position of the coupling ring housing.
FIG. 10 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the
electrical connector shown in FIG. 1 and showing the plug and
receptacle means in full electrical and mechanically locked mating
relation.
FIG. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated
by line XI -- XI of FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing RFI means
between the plug shell and receptacle shell of the electrical
connector shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the RFI means shown in
FIG. 12 out of engagement with the receptacle shell.
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of a metal blank from which the
RFI means shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are formed.
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary plan view of one step in forming the RFI
means from the blank shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of the RFI means showing
the relation of the fingers when the RFI means is formed into an
annulus.
FIG. 17 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated
by line XVII -- XVII of FIG. 10 illustrating a lock means for
retaining the coupling nut and spring means associated therewith in
assembly with the coupling ring housing.
FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the same plane as
FIG. 17 and showing the lock means rotated to an unlocking
position.
FIG. 19 is a exploded fragmentary sectional view of one of the
shells and an insert retainer ring for securing an insert member
within said shell.
FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded view of the thread
configuration on the shell and on the retainer ring in
juxtaposition.
FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic view showing points of interengagement of
the threads of the retainer ring with the threads of the shell.
FIG. 22 is an enlarged exploded partly in section perspective view
showing the internal surfaces of the end portion of the coupling
housing, a retainer ring spaced therefrom, and the retainer ring in
phantom rotated for proper insertion through openings in the
internal surface of the end portion of the housing to illustrate
assembly of the retainer ring with the coupling ring housing.
FIG. 23 is fragmentary sectional view showing the retainer ring
inserted through an opening prior to rotation.
FIG. 24 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 23 showing
the retainer ring rotated into a position prior to engagement with
recesses in the end portion of the coupling housing.
FIG. 25 shows the retainer ring biased outwardly by the springs
into locked engagement with the recesses in the coupling
housing.
In FIG. 1 is shown a receptacle means 30 coaxially aligned with and
separated from a plug means 31, both receptacle and plug means
providing an electrical connector generally indicated at 32 (FIG.
4). The electrical connector 32 serves to couple and electrically
connect a pluraity of cables or wires, the ends of which are
secured to the receptacle and plug means at electrical contact
elements in known manner. Five cables are shown for coupling by the
connector 32, it being understood that the bundle of cables may
vary in number and can include as many as 20 cables or more. The
plug means 31 is adapted to be advanced along the axis of
receptacle means 30 to move the plug means 31 into desired full
electrical and mechanical mating of the plug and receptacle
means.
Receptacle Means
In this embodiment of the invention, receptacle means 30 includes a
receptacle shell 36 comprising a cylindrical wall having a radially
outwardly directed annular flange 37 which may be placed against
the front face of wall 33 and secured thereto by screw bolts 34.
Receptacle shell 36 extends through an opening 38 in wall 33 and
may include a back cylindrical shell wall 39 which extends beyond
the back face of wall 33.
Receptacle shell 36 receives and holds a composite insert member 40
of cylindrical form. The external cylindrical surface of insert
member 40 may be provided with a plurality of axially spaced
radially inwardly stepped shoulders 41, 42 (FIG. 6) for cooperable
seating engagement with correspondingly axially spaced and radially
inwardly formed shoulders 41a and 42a on the internal cylindrical
surface of shell 36. Insert member 40 is restricted against axial
movement in one direction by the abutment of said shoulders. Axial
movement of insert member 40 in the opposite direction, that is
backwardly of the back shell 39, is restrained by an insert sleeve
retainer means in a novel manner as later described in connection
with FIGS. 19-21 inclusive.
The front portion of insert member 40 may be made of a resilient
dielectric material and the back portion made of a relatively hard
dielectric material. Contact pins 45 project from conical bosses 44
of the resilient material, the bosses providing circular sealing
contact with hard dielectric material surrounding corresponding
socket contacts in the plug means. The axial position of insert
member 40 in receptacle shell 36 is such that contact pins 45
carried thereby have their pin ends spaced a predetermined distance
inwardly from the edge face 46 of receptacle shell 36. Contact pins
45 are thereby exposed for mating contact with the plug means
relatively deeply within the chamber formed by receptacle shell 36
and are protectively enclosed by receptacle shell 36.
Receptacle shell 36 is provided with an external cylindrical
surface 47 provided with two sets of circumferentially spaced
external radially outwardly directed shell locking lands 48, 49 to
provide respective locking faces 49a, 48a spaced uniformly from the
opposed annular face 51 of flange 37. The overall circumferential
dimension of "L" (FIG. 5) of each set of lands 48, 49, may remain
unchanged for receptacle shells of the same diameter. The arcuate
length of each land 48, 49 of each set of lands may be varied to
provide a specific different set of lands for receptacles having
selected pin contact arrangements or other differing
characteristics to avoid mismatching of receptacle and plug
means.
A master key 50 is provided on receptacle shell surface 47 between
the two sets of locking lands and in the same transverse planar
zone as lands 48, 49. Key 50 has a face 50a spaced from flange face
51 the same distance as land faces 48a, 49a. Key 50 may be varied
in width or arcuate length to be compatible with a selected plug
means and serves to angularly orient the plug and receptacle
means.
The interconnection at the insert member between the cables, insert
member 40 and contact pins 45 may be made in suitable well-known
manner. It is understood that insert member 40 firmly holds the
contact pins 45 against relative axial movement and that electrical
continuity is preserved through inser member 40 without electrical
leakage loss.
Plug Means
Plug means 31 comprises a plug shell 60 having a particularly
configured cylindrical wall 61 having an internal diameter slightly
greater than the outer diameter of receptacle shell 36 so that
shell 36 may be axially and telescopically received therewithin.
The plug shell 60 also includes an internal annular flange 62
defining an opening 63 and a shoulder 64 serving to index axially a
plug insert member 66 with respect to the plug shell. Flange 62
includes a keyway 62a which receives a plastic key 62b on insert
member 66 to angularly index member 66 also with respect to the
plug shell 60. Annular shoulder 65 spaced from shoulder 64 serves
as a seat for one end of an insert retainer ring member as later
described. A cylindrical plug insert member 66 of suitable hard
dielectric material receives ends of cables which are electrically
connected within insert member 66 to electrical socket contacts 67
spaced and arranged about the axis of the plug insert member to
correspond with the spacing and arrangement of the contact pins 45
on the receptacle insert member 41. The cylindrical portion 68 of
plug insert member 66 has an outer diameter which is lightly less
than the inner diameter of receptacle shell 36. The outer
cylindrical surface of insert member portion 68 defines with the
internal cylindrical surface of cylindrical wall 61 of plug shell
60 an annular space 69 for reception of receptacle shell 36 during
mating of the plug and receptacle means.
Plug means 31 also includes means for coupling or connecting the
plug and receptacle means whereby the pin and socket contacts 45
and 67 respectively are properly aligned for electrical mating
contact when the receptacle and plug shells 36 and 60 respectively
are coaxially drawn together into full electrical mating and
mechanical locking engagement. In this example, the coupling means
generally indicated at 70 includes a coupling ring housing 71 and a
coupling nut 72 within coupling housing 71 and provided with
threaded engagement at 73 with external threads provided on
cylindrical wall 61 of plug shell 60. Coupling ring housing 71,
FIG, is provided on an intermediate portion of its internal surface
with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially inwardly
directed lands 75 and grooves 76 for cooperation with complementary
lands 77 and grooves 78 on coupling nut 72. Certain of the
interengaging lands and grooves may be of different width to
angularly orient and position the coupling housing and nut with
respect to each other. Coupling ring housing 71, when turned about
the axis of the connector, will transmit such turning forces to
coupling nut 72 through the interleaved lands and grooves of the
coupling housing and nut while permitting relative longitudinal or
axial movement between coupling housing and coupling nut.
Coupling housing 71 is provided with a coupling end portion 80
having a radially inwardly directed breech flange 81 provided with
circumferentially spaced radially inwardly directed breech lugs 82
and 83 and a keyway 84. The inner diameter of flange 81 with spaced
lugs 82 and 83 is slightly greater than the outer diameter of
receptacle shell 36 so that the shell 36 may be inserted, after
proper orientation of receptacle shell lands and breech lugs,
through the breech flange opening for reception between the plug
shell and the plug insert member.
Coupling housing 71 also includes between breech flange 81 and an
interior radially inwardly directed annular rib 88 a part circular,
about 270.degree., groove 86 to receive a spring detent means 87 of
about 180.degree. arcuate shape to audibly and tactilely signal
full locked and unlocked condition of the plug and receptacle means
as later described.
Coupling housing 71 also encloses an annular spring means 91 which
imparts an axially directed spring force against coupling nut 72.
One end of nut 72 abuts face 89 of rib 88, the other end of nut 72
providing an annular seating face 90 for one end of spring means 91
which is seated at its opposite end against an annular retaining
member 92 breech interlocked with coupling housing 71 as more
particularly described hereafter.
The threaded engagement at 73 between plug shell 60 and coupling
nut 72 comprises a four lead fast thread adapted to rapidly axially
advance plug shell 60 into full mated relationship with receptacle
shell 36 upon rotation of coupling ring housing 71. An example of a
suitable thread is an Acme stub thread.
Electrical continuity with respect to grounding and radio frequency
interference shielding means 95 may be carried within plug shell 60
for engagement with receptacle shell 36, the shielding means 95
being particularly described hereafter. In this example, the RFI
shield means 95 is positioned and located on an annular rib 96
provided on the interior surface of plug shell 60 and cooperable
with a particular mounting configuration of the shield means to
securely position shield means 95. RFI shield means 95 comprises a
plurality of resilient fingers 97 which are adapted to be
compressed by the forward portion of the receptacle shell 36 to
provide electrical contact therewith as hereinafter described in
detail.
The construction of receptacle means 30, plug means 31, and
coupling means 70 embody novel features of construction and
operation which will be further described in detail in connection
with a coupling and uncoupling operation of the plug and receptacle
means. In this example, receptacle means 30 is fixedly mounted on a
wall 33 and is non-rotatable and is non-axially movable. It will be
understood that the plug and receptacle means may be moved relative
to each other in order to accomplish the coupling and uncoupling
functions and that the present example contemplates such an
operation.
In FIG. 1, receptacle means 30 and plug means 31 are in spaced
relation and positioned along aligned axes of the plug and
receptacle means. Plug shell 60 is in retracted axial relation with
respect to coupling means 70. Further, in this retracted position,
keyway 84 on coupling ring housing 71 is in alignment with an
internal keyway 100 on the plug shell. Plug means 31 is then
angularly or rotatably aligned by suitable reference marks on the
coupling housing and receptacle shell so that the keyway 84 is in
linear alignment with master key 50 on the receptacle shell.
If keyway 84 and key 50 are compatible, which determines whether
the plug and receptacle means are designed for mating, plug means
31 may then be advanced along the axis of the connector to permit
entry of master key 50 into keyway 84 of the coupling housing, FIG.
4. It will be apparent that the ends of contact pins 45 are spaced
from socket contact 67 of the plug insert member 66 and that the
end portion of receptacle shell 36 has entered the annular space 69
between insert member 66 and cylindrical wall 61 of the plug shell.
In such position (FIG. 4) the pin contacts and socket contacts are
in alignment, are not in electrical contact, and the plug and
receptacle shells are interengaged over a sufficient axial distance
to minimize or effectively restrict cocking or axial misalignment
of one shell with respect to the other shell. The relative
relationship of coupling means 70 with respect to plug shell 60 is
unchanged.
Plug means 31, after having been properly aligned and oriented with
receptacle means 30 as illustrated in FIG. 4, may be still further
advanced axially until the front face of the coupling housing
breech flange 81 moves against upstanding annular flange 37 on the
receptacle means 30. During this relative axial movement of the
plug and receptacle means, the coupling ring housing and associated
coupling nut and plug shell are turned only to the extent of
matching key 50 with keyway 84 and matching the receptacle shell
lands 48 and 49 with the openings provided in the inner
circumference of housing flange 81. At the position shown in FIG.
6, the pin contacts 45 are at the openings of the socket contacts
on the plug insert member but have not entered the openings.
It should be noted that the breech flange 81 includes key 85 spaced
about 120.degree. from keyway 84, said keys 85 being alignable with
and passing through keyways 85a formed between locking lands 48 and
49 on receptacle shell 36. The correct orientation of keys 85 and
keyways 85a permits axial advancement of plug means towards the
receptacle means so that the shells can be properly mated. As later
described, keys 85 and keyways 85a serve to prevent mating of plug
means and receptacle means which are not designed or intended to be
mated because of different numbers of pin and socket contacts
carried by each of the plug and receptacle means.
Advancement of the plug means into full electrical contact of the
contact pins and contact sockets is accomplished by turning the
coupling ring in one direction through about 90.degree.. Turning of
coupling ring housing 71 drives the coupling nut 72 which moves
plug shell 60 axially without rotation towards the receptacle
means. Plug shell 60 is held against rotation by interlocking of
key 50 on the receptacle shell and the keyway 100 on the plug
shell, master key 50 having entered keyway 100 upon the last axial
movement of the plug means and is disengaged with the keyway 84 on
coupling ring housing 71. Thus, in position shown in FIGS. 6 and
10, the coupling ring 71 may be turned relative to the shells;
however, plug and receptacle shells are held against relative
rotation by the key and keyway 50 and 100. Since the pin and socket
contacts have been aligned, the ends of the pins enter the sockets
for electrical engagement. Upon completion of turning the coupling
housing through 90.degree. (FIG. 10) the breech locking lugs 82 and
83 on the coupling housing are located axially behind the locking
lands 48 and 49 on the receptacle shell and the annular flange
formed thereon. Relative axial movement of the coupling housing
with respect to the plug shell is thereby prevented.
Spring Detent Means
Means for audibly and tactilely indicating that the plug and
receptacle means are in full mated and locked condition both
electrically and mechanically and to hold them in locked condition
is provided by the spring detent means 87. Detent means 87 is
carried in part-circumferential groove 86 formed in the internal
surface of the coupling ring housing 71. As shown in FIG. 8, spring
detent means 87 is of arcuate configuration and has an internal key
110 midway between ends of the detent spring means, the key 110
being axially slidably loosely engageable in a keyway 111 provided
on the outer surface of the end portion 61 of the plug shell 60.
Spring detent means 87 is operable within groove 86 in the coupling
ring housing but does not rotate or turn with the coupling
housing.
Spring detent means 87 includes arcuate arms 112 with radially
outwardly extending projections 114 having convex surfaces 115. The
arcuate arms 112 are progressively reduced in cross-sectional area
towards ends 114. The unrestrained normal configuration of arms 112
provides a space between end portions 114 greater than the distance
between a first set of detent recesses 116 provided in diametrical
relation in the internal groove 86 provided in coupling housing 71.
Detent recesses 116 may be provided with an arcuate internal
surface 117 formed about radii generally greater than the radii of
convex surface 115 at ends of arms 112. A second set of detent
recesses 116a is provided in coupling housing 71 and spaced
approximately 90.degree. from the first set of detent recesses 116.
As best seen in FIG. 7 the annular groove 86 subtends approximately
270.degree. and terminates in the adjacent recesses 116 and 116a of
the two sets of recesses, the material of coupling housing 71
between recesses providing stops at 118 and 118a to limit rotation
of the coupling housing by contact of projections 114
therewith.
When detent springs means 87 is assembled within the coupling
housing, the arcuate arms 112 are forcibly bent inwardly so that a
radially outwardly spring biasing force is exerted against coupling
housing 71. When coupling housing 71 is rotated, detent spring
means 87 being non-rotatable because of keying to the plug shell,
sufficient force must be applied to the coupling housing to cause
arcuate arms 112 to radially inwardly compress and projections 114
to disengage recesses 116. As the coupling housing reaches the end
of its 90.degree. turn, spring arms 112 snap outwardly as
projections 114 are biased into detent recesses 116a. When this
occurs, a very distinct relatively loud snap or click is heard and
felt.
When such an audible and tactile signal is given by rotation of the
coupling housing 71, such signal clearly indicates that coupling
housing 71 has completed breech locking engagement with receptacle
shell 36 and that coupling nut 72 has driven axially forwardly plug
shell 30 and insert member therein so that the pin contacts 45 are
in full electrical engagement with the contact sockets carried by
the plug means.
When the plug and receptacle means are uncoupled, the coupling
housing is rotated in the opposite direction, the spring detent
arms 112 are radially inwardly compressed upon leaving recesses
116a. The coupling housing 71 drives coupling nut 72 in the
opposite direction so that the plug shell 60 and its insert body
member with socket contacts is axially withdrawn without rotation.
The spring detent means 87 again audibly indicates that plug means
31 has become disengaged electrically from the receptacle means 30
by the audible and tactile force of the spring detent means
snapping against the coupling housing as the projections 114 enter
recesses 116. The coupling housing is then positioned with the keys
and keyways on the breech locking flange and shell locking lands
aligned so that the plug means can be withdrawn from the receptacle
means in an axial direction without rotation.
It should be noted that the coupling nut 72 is biased axially
forwardly toward the receptacle means by springs 91. Springs 91 not
only facilitate turning of the coupling ring housing 71, which
drives coupling nut 72, into full mated and locked relationship
desired between the plug and receptacle means, but also after such
full mating engagement, the spring means 91 may serve to bias and
hold the plug and receptacle means in assembled relation.
Detent spring means 87 may vary in curvature, such curvature is
always sufficient to cause forceful snapping of the projections 114
into recesses 116, 116a to be heard and felt. Such forceful
snapping of detent projections into the detent recesses is
facilitated by the loose clearance key 110 has with keyway 111,
such loose clearance allowing the detent member to quickly shift
position to help produce the loud snapping sound. The loose
clearance of key 110 and keyway 111 is correlated to the curvature
of the detent projections 114 and recesses 116 so that the detent
member does not bind in its contacts with the coupling housing and
plug shell and is free to quickly respond as the projections 114
move into the recesses 116. The convex faces 115 and concave
recesses 116 116a and difference in curvature thereof facilitates
the snapping effect and also is one of the factors which tends to
maintain assembly because coupling housing 71 cannot be turned
until sufficient torque force is applied thereto to release the
projections 114 from recesses 116, 116a. the amount of force
required is predetermined and the arrangement of curved surfaces on
projections 114 and recesses 116, 116a may be varied to provide a
desired release and snap-in. The construction and bending
characteristics of arms 112 may also be varied to obtain a desired
force.
RFI Shielding Means
Means for grounding and shielding electrical connector 32 against
interference in the range from 100 MHz to 10 GHz comprises shield
means 95 shown in detail in FIGS. 12-16 inclusive. Shielding
integrity is provided buy a 360.degree. continuous low resistance
path from one cable shield to the other cable shield through the
electrical connector. In this example, the cable shields are
electrically connected to the plug and receptacle shells in
wellknown manner. The shielding means 95 is in shielding contact
relationship with the forward end portion of receptacle shell 36 as
shown in FIG. 6 and 10. As noted in FIG. 6, shielding engagement
with receptacle shell 36 occurs prior to electrical contact of
contact pins 45 with contact sockets 67.
As previously briefly described, shield means 95 is mounted on an
internal annular rib 96 of plug shell 60 and includes a plurality
of circularly arranged resilient folded fingers 97 adapted to
slidably and electrically contact the external cylindrical surface
of receptacle shell 36. Shielding means 95 is so constructed and
formed that when installed on the interior of plug shell 60, the
spaces or windows between adjacent edges of fingers 97 are
minimized and will be in the order of a few thousandths of an inch,
for example 0.004 inches.
In the method of forming such an RFI shield means 95 a rectangular
blank 120 of suitable metal stock material such as beryllium copper
of about 0.004 inches thick of selected length and width is
provided, FIG. 14. On one face of blank 120 is printed or inscribed
a preselected pattern of securement tabs 121 and spring fingers 122
extending from an intermediate longitudinally extending band 123.
The configuration of fingers 122 is trapezoidal and tapers from
band 123 to the end distal therefrom. Securement tabs 121 and
fingers 122 are connected to band 123 by narrow neck portions 124.
Material of the blank 120 between the inscribed tabs, fingers and
band is then chemically etched away so that a precise dimensional
configuration of tabs and fingers results.
While the etched blank 120 is in flat form, the material is
subjected to a forming operation wherein the securement tabs 121
are bent into generally U-shape as shown in FIG. 15b wherein outer
leg 121a of the securement tab is initially formed slightly
inclined toward the opposed leg of the tab. The inclination of leg
121a facilitates tight frictional grasping of rib 96 when the
shielding means is mounted on plug shell 60.
Fingers 122 are formed as by bending each finger about an
intermediate portion which forms an arcuate nose 125 joining a base
or first cantilever portion 126 angularly disposed and connected to
band 123 and to a second cantilever portion 127 which terminates in
an inwardly bent or return end portion 128. As shown in FIG. 15a,
in flat form, adjacent edges of fingers 122 continuously diverge
from their base portion adjacent band 123 to the return end portion
128.
The etched and formed blank is still in linear form as shown in
FIG. 15a. The formed blank may then be turned and shaped about a
selected radius into an annulus in which the radially outwardly
directed surface of band 123 has a diameter approximately
corresponding to the inner diameter of plug shell 60 adjacent to
annular rib 96. When the annulus is formed about such radius, the
diverging edges of adjacent fingers 122 (FIG. 15a) are drawn into
close uniform spaced relation (FIG. 16) at 129. The spaces at 129
are each approximately 0.004 inches. Such extremely close spacing
of a plurality of resilient fingers throughout 360.degree. is
achieved by the precise correlation of the dimensions of the etched
trapezoidal shaped fingers 122 and their relation to the radius of
the resulting annulus of the shielding means 95.
The shielding means 95 may be secured as by suitable electrically
conductive bonding or soldering to annular rib 96. The annulus may
be formed while the securement tabs 121 are being inserted over rib
96. Tab and rib contacting surfaces are preferably made
electrically conductive and soldered. Band 123 has an end extension
130 which may overlap the opposite end of the band and be secured
thereto in suitable manner as by electrically conductive brazing,
soldering or bonding.
It will be understood that the resilient fingers 122 may be plated
with a noble metal such as gold, and the surfaces contacted by the
fingers on the receptacle shell 36 and plug shell 60 may also be
plated or coated with a noble metal such as gold or silver. In FIG.
12, band 123 may be provided with a contact surface at 131 of noble
metal. In fully mated position, the plug shell 60 and receptacle
shell 36 are provided with a substantially continuous 360.degree.
electrically conductive path of low resistance between the metal
shells 60 and 36 through the shielding means 95. The precise
configuration of the resilient fingers 122 provides minimal window
area for transmission of stray frequencies and radio frequency
leakage attenuation is maximized.
It should also be noted that the forward edge of the receptacle
shell 36 may be chamfered or beveled at 133 so that during relative
axial movement of the plug and receptacle means for mating the
bevel edge 133 will first contact the radially inwardly biased
cantilever portion 127. Surfaces of the shell and fingers will be
effectively pressure wiped to remove surface oxidation thereon
because of spring biasing forces provided by bending of cantilever
portion 127 about nose 125 and by bending of cantilever portion 126
at band 123. Entry of shell 36 into the opening defined by portion
127 of the fingers 122 causes the resilient folded fingers to
uniformly move radially outwardly or expand until finger portions
126 are in pressure contact with plug shell 60. The fulcruming of
each finger portion 126 about its connection to band 123 enhances
the resilient biasing forces available for pressure contact with
the shells 36, 60 (FIGS. 6, 10). The precise shape of the fingers
in relation to the formed radius of the shielding member permits
radially outward flexing of the fingers with virtually little
change in the size of the window openings or spaces between
fingers. Shielding effectiveness is substantially unchanged. The
angular and bent configurations of finger portions 127 and 128
permit relative axial movement of the two shells 36 and 60 without
interference. As noted in FIG. 6, contact of shielding means 95
occurs before the pin contacts 45 enter the socket contacts 67 in
the plug means.
Coupling Assembly Breech Retaining Means
Coupling ring housing 71 with enclosed coupling nut 72 and springs
91 bearing against one end of the coupling nut are retained in
assembly by annular retainer member 92. With particular reference
to FIGS. 1, 17, 18, 22-25 inclusive, annular retainer member 92 has
an inner diameter approximately the same as the inner diameter of
coupling nut 72 and provides an inner annular surface 135 against
which one end of springs 91 may seat in assembly. The outer
circumference of member 92 is provided with arcuate circumferential
breech lands or lugs 136 in spaced relation and defining
therebetween openings 137. As shown in FIG. 18, breech lugs 136 may
be aligned with internal relatively wide grooves or through
openings 138 provided in end portion 139 of coupling ring housing
71. End portion 139, internally of the edge face of the coupling
housing is provided with a plurality of circularly spaced recesses
140 having end walls 141, recesses 140 being adapted to receive and
to hold therewithin breech lugs 136. Annular retainer member 92 may
be provided with three angularly spaced detent indentations or
impressions 143 in the outer annular face of member 92.
The coupling assembly breech retainer member 92 may be sleeved over
plug shell 60 with breech lugs 136 aligned with the through
openings 138 provided in end portion 139 of the coupling housing
71. By using a tool having three prongs corresponding to the
spacing of indentations 143, annular member 92 may be pressed
uniformly axially toward coupling nut 72 and against the spring
forces of springs 91. After retainer member 92 has been axially
advanced into contact with the inward shoulder 144 formed by the
annular recess 140, the member 92 may be rotated in either
direction so as to move the locking breech lugs 136 into the back
space of the recesses 140. Upon release of installing pressure,
retainer member 92 is urged axially outwardly by springs 91 to
position the breech lugs 136 in recesses 140. In such position it
will be apparent from FIG. 17 that turning or rotational movement
of member 92 is restricted by the engagement of ends of breech lugs
136 with the end walls 141 of the recesses 140.
Disassembly of the retainer member 92 from the coupling ring
housing 71 is accomplished by a reversal of the installation steps
described above. The three-pronged tool is again employed to exert
an axial pressure on the retainer member 92 to force it axially
inwardly against the spring pressure and to then rotate the ring
through the necessary angle to align breech lugs 136 with through
openings 138 in the end portion of the coupling ring housing. Upon
release of pressure from the tool, the retainer member 92 is
withdrawn from the end portion of a coupling ring housing. Springs
91 and the coupling ring housing and associated coupling ring nut
may then be removed for disassembly.
Insert Retaining Means
Insert members 40 and 66 must be precisely axially positioned and
angularly accurately oriented with respect to their respective
shells so that proper alignment and mating of the pin and socket
contacts may be accomplished. Insert members have been axially
located within a shell by seating an insert member against a
reference shoulder on the shell to restrain movement in one
direction and then by bonding or using a threaded ring or lock
washer to restrict movement of the insert member in the opposite
direction. Use of such prior devices introduced unwanted tolerances
which detracted from such precise positioning. Under some operating
conditions, a slightest relative axial movement of the insert
member with the shell was objectionable because of its effect upon
multiple pin and socket connections and upon securement of the
contacts in the insert member. The present electrical connector 32
embodies means for retaining and positively positioning an insert
member against a shoulder or other fixed reference without
adjustments and without bonding to the shell.
In FIGS. 4 and 19-21 inclusive, an insert retainer means 158 is
applied to insert member 40 of receptacle means 30. Back shell 39
of receptacle shell 36 is provided with an outer cylindrical
portion 150 of relatively thin cross section. Inwardly from portion
150 the back shell is provided with a relatively thicker
cylindrical portion 151 provided on its inner surface with a
particularly shaped buttress type thread 152. In this example,
threads 152 are formed with a single lead, right hand pitch, and
include 50 threads per inch. Cross sectional configuration of
threads 152 include a flat crest 153 and a relatively wider flat
root 154. Inwardly directed face 155 of the thread is normal to the
flat crest and root 153, 154 respectively. Outwardly directed face
156 of the thread is slightly inclined from the root 154 to the
crest 153. Spacing between adjacent edges of crests 153 of adjacent
threads is indicated at B and in this example may be approximately
0.015 inches. The length of the back shell provided with threads
152 may be any suitable length depending upon the axial dimensions
of the insert member to be carried by receptacle shell 36. In this
example, depth of threads 152; that is, from flat crest 153 to flat
root 154, may be approximately 0.005 to 0.006 inches. As noted in
the above description, insert member 40 has shoulders 41 seated
against reference positioning shoulder 41a provided in the
receptacle shell.
An insert retaining ring 158 may be made of a suitable compressible
thermoplastic material, such as Torlon or Nylon. Ring 158 includes
a cylindrical smooth inner surface 159 through which may be
received, as by a clearance fit (a few thousandths inches), the
back end portion of insert member 40. The outer cylindrical surface
of ring 158 is provided with a thread 160 which has two leads, a
left hand pitch and includes 25 turns per inch. The thread
configuration, also of buttress type, includes a generally
triangular cross section having a sharp corner 161 at its crest, a
relatively long inclined face 164 leading to a narrow flat root 162
having a width approximately one-third or one-quarter of the space
between adjacent crests 161 as identified by the letter A, and an
outwardly directed face 163 normal to flat root 162. The crest
spacing A in this example may be about 0.020. The outer diameter of
the insert retaining ring 158 is slightly larger than the inner
diameter of the shell, the sharp corners 161 reaching into the root
areas 154 of threads 152.
As shown in FIG. 21, the unique configuration of the threads 152
and 160; that is, one being a single lead right hand pitch of 50
threads per inch and the other being a left hand pitch two leads at
25 turns per inch, together with the specific cross sectional
configuration of the two threads provides a unique thread
interengagement in which mating or meshing thereof will occur at
three points spaced approximately 120.degree. apart as indicated in
FIG. 21 at 165, 166 and 167. The manner of such interengagement is
now described.
In assembly, after the insert member 40 has been angularly oriented
and axially positioned against reference shoulder 41a within
receptacle shell 36, insert retaining ring 158 is sleeved over the
end of the insert member 40 and moved axially toward back shell 39.
When the sleeve member begins to enter intermediate portion 151
with threads 152, a cylindrical drive tool is employed to forcibly
press the insert ring into the receptacle back shell 39 and axially
along the shell threads 152. Because the threads are pitched in an
opposite direction and are on non-threading, non-mating
characteristics, the forcing of the threads of the plastic ring
along the threads of the metal back shell 39 places the insert ring
under radial compression and causes the threads 160 to successively
interengage and forcibly interfit with the threads 152 at three
angularly spaced areas indicated in FIG. 21. Such radial pressure
interfitting of the threads 152 and 160 during relative axial
movement is facilitated by inclined faces 156 and 164. Restraint
against opposite relative axial movement is positively restricted
by the interabutment of faces 155 and 163 which are normal to the
axis of the ring and shell. Such interengagement of compressible
thermoplastic threads 160 with metal threads 152 successively and
angularly progressively occurs at three angularly spaced places
around back shell 39, the thermoplastic retainer ring 158 being
deformed under radial compression into somewhat triangularly
related locked or interfitting abutment areas 165, 166 and 167
provided by the opposed normal faces 155, 163 of the two different
thread configurations. The tapered configuration of the leading end
169 of ring 158 facilitates entry of the ring end 169 Into the
shell. The end face of the leading end 169 may be driven against a
thrust shoulder 170 on the insert member or against a thrust ring
provided on the back portion of an insert member so that the insert
member is immovably locked between positioning shoulder 41a on the
receptacle shell and the insert retainer ring pressed against
shoulder 170 and threadably interlocked with the back shell. The
compressible retainer ring is linearly pressure driven into
engagement with and between the back shell and insert member. The
insert retainer ring locks and meshes with the threaded shell to
precisely position the insert member in the shell against reference
shoulder 41a regardless of coarse or loose tolerances between
shoulder 41a and shoulder 170.
While the example describes the insert retaining member in relation
to the receptacle shell, it will be understood that a similar
insert retaining ring may be employed at the back portion of plug
shell 60 to retain the plug insert member in fixed axial position
relative to the plug shell in the same manner as above
described.
While a present example of an insert retaining ring has been
described with respect to an electrical connector having a
cylindrical metal shell and a cylindrical dielectric insert member
received within said shell and fixedly holding the insert member in
immovable position with respect to the shell, it will be understood
that such a compressible insert retaining ring may be employed to
restrict to a minimum axial movement between two concentric members
utilized in different environment.
It will be understood that when the terms "thread means ", "thread
configuration" and "threaded interengagement" are used herein, that
"threads" include the usual helical type thread shown as well as
non-helical annular rings pitched at a desired angle to the axis of
the shell and retainer ring. Either or both cooperable threads may
be helical or non-helical. The selected pitch of each thread should
provide for crossing of the interengaging threads at at least three
abutment areas with the insert ring under radial compression.
It will be noted that use of insert retainer ring 158 and such a
cooperable back shell 39 provides quick foolproof assembly of the
insert member within the receptacle shell and no additional
adjustments are required to positively seat and hold insert member
40 against positioning shoulder 41a.
Breech Holdoff Means
In some prior electrical connectors relative axial movement of plug
and receptacle sections were permitted under desirable conditions
which could result in damage to the connector and failure to
properly mate electrical contacts. Such undesirable conditions
include relative axial movement with a bent contact pin, attempting
to mate connector sections in which both sections include
protruding contact pins, jamming or cross-starting of the coupling
means, and permitting relative axial movement under axial
misalignment conditions.
The present construction embodies features which obviates the
undesirable conditions mentioned above. It should be noted that
breech flange 81 on the coupling housing ring includes two radially
inwardly projecting keys 85 located about 120.degree. apart and
approximately the same angular distance with respect to keyway 84.
Keyway 84, as mentioned above, receives master key 50 on the
receptacle shell for orienting the two shells with respect to
polarization or axial alignment of mating pin and socket electrical
contacts. In the present electrical connector, visible reference
indicia are provided on the coupling housing and on the shell in
linear alignment with the key 50 and keyway 84 so that the coupling
housing, plug shell and receptacle shell are properly angularly
oriented for mating of the pin and socket contacts. Before the plug
means can be advanced axially with respect to the receptacle shell
in such visually aided alignment, it will be apparent that the keys
85 must be oriented with the keyways 85a on the receptacle shell to
permit further axial movement.
In the event proper visual orientation of master key 50 and keyway
84 is made, but the receptacle shell and plug shell are not
compatible for mating as by a difference in number of pin contacts,
the orientation of the keys 85 and keyways 85a on such
noncompatible shells will cause keys 85 to bear against the front
faces 48b and 49b of the locking lands 48, 49 on a noncompatible
shell. Such spaced bearing at faces 48b and 49b provide balanced
holding off of the plug means; that is, any axial misalignment of
the plug and receptacle means is resisted and minimized so that
damage to pin contacts will not occur. Further axial advance of the
coupling housing and of a mismatched plug shell and insert member
is prevented. As noted in FIG. 4, the tips of the pin contacts 45
are in spaced relation to the socket contacts in the plug insert
member. Damage to pin contacts is thereby prevented in the event
noncompatible plug and receptacle means are attempted to be coupled
together.
It should be noted that the two keys 85 provide such holding off
function at two spaced points approximately 120.degree. apart.
Cocking or attempting to mate noncompatible plug and receptacle
means by manipulation of the plug means in three dimensions is
prevented. The use of at least two spaced keys in spaced relation
to a master keyway 84 on the coupling housing provides variation in
key and keyway patterns so that a wide range of different keying
may be made for connectors of the same shell size but with
different members of electrical contacts and arrangements
thereof.
The electrical connector 32 described above provides many
advantages of construction and operation of which some have been
particularly emphasized. In the general concept of the electrical
connector, it is important to note that the coupling housing ring
serves as a single component part which is constructed to perform a
number of important functions. First, the coupling ring housing has
a breech flange 81 which locks the plug and receptacle means
against axial movement by interlocking abutment with the locking
lands 48, 49 on the receptacle shell. Such locking lands provide a
substantial abutment area so that the loading per square inch is
reduced. Second, the coupling ring housing provides in breech
flange 81, keys 85 which perform the holdoff function described
above to prevent mating of noncompatible plug and receptacle means.
Thus, the locking flange 81 provides a key means in which the keys
85 may be varied in spacing so that positive means is provided for
preventing attempted coupling of noncompatible plug and receptacle
means; and such mating prevention occurs without damage to pin and
socket contact members. Third, the coupling ring housing with its
locking flange 81 provides a visual and a nonchangeable orientation
of the plug means with the receptacle means by the alignment of the
keyway 84 with the key 50 on a receptacle shell. Thus, positive
orientation or polarization of the contact elements of compatible
mating plug and receptacle means is assured. Fourth, the coupling
ring housing provides an annular part-circular internal channel or
groove for housing the detent spring 87, the detent spring being
positively oriented with the plug shell and coupling housing
through the central key 110 which is movable in an axial direction
in the keyway 111 on the plug shell. Fifth, the coupling ring
housing provides an annular shoulder 89 for abutment of one end of
the coupling nut 72 and also provides the full lock breech recess
140 which secures the annular lock ring 92, which serves as a seat
for the springs 91 which bias the coupling nut against the shoulder
89. It will thus be apparent that the specific construction of the
coupling ring housing of the electrical connector 32 combines many
features which provide an electrical connector which is reliable
and in which there are safeguards against damage to connector parts
in the event mismatching or attempted coupling of noncompatible
connector parts is attempted.
Various changes and modifications may be made in the above
described electrical connector and all such changes and
modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims are
embraced thereby.
* * * * *